Recently a very popular Facebook group began called the Old School Romance Book Club. Almost 900 readers signed up to read classic romance novels, like The Bride by Julie Garwood,
The Flame and the Flower by Laura Kinsale,
and Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux.
I have actually read all of those and most of the other books considered classics, but only because a few years I go, I intentionally read them. I didn't read them when they came out. I was either too young or unaware of them.
Recently, I also re-read The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. I don't know if that's considered a classic, but it should be. I did read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon when it came out, and I was surprised to learn it's now considered a classic.
Some other classics include
Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
I've read most of these, but I still need to get my hands on Skye O'Malley and re-read Whitney, My Love because I read it and don't remember it.
What about you? Did you miss any classics? My list is woefully short on contemporaries. What novels are contemporary romance classics?
One person who comments (and leaves her email address) will be randomly chosen to win a copy (print or digital) of my new Christmas anthology, Christmas in the Duke's Arms. Winner announced and contacted Sunday, November 2.
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The Flame and the Flower by Laura Kinsale,
and Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux.
I have actually read all of those and most of the other books considered classics, but only because a few years I go, I intentionally read them. I didn't read them when they came out. I was either too young or unaware of them.
Recently, I also re-read The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. I don't know if that's considered a classic, but it should be. I did read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon when it came out, and I was surprised to learn it's now considered a classic.
Some other classics include
Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
I've read most of these, but I still need to get my hands on Skye O'Malley and re-read Whitney, My Love because I read it and don't remember it.
What about you? Did you miss any classics? My list is woefully short on contemporaries. What novels are contemporary romance classics?
One person who comments (and leaves her email address) will be randomly chosen to win a copy (print or digital) of my new Christmas anthology, Christmas in the Duke's Arms. Winner announced and contacted Sunday, November 2.
%2Blow%2Bres%2B72%2Bdpi%2B%40%2B500%2Bpx.jpg)
I love the classics! I could just look through old covers all day and it reminds me of the books I used to steal off my mom's bookshelves without her realizing. :) Mostly historical. I loved Sergeanne Golon's Angelique series, a real oldie. And Johanna Lindsey. Not so well versed in contemporary classics, but I also read lots of Harlequin romances in the early 80s;
ReplyDeleteAngelique, of course! I haven't though about those books in a while.
DeleteI admit, I have never read The Flame and The Flower, often called the first modern romance novel (with sexy bits!). But I've read some of the others on your list. Flowers from the Storm absolutely floored me. I thought it was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me in the giveaway--I already have CITDA on my Kindle!
I have read TFATF. OMG. So hard to read at times (rape scenes). Old school romance is not like what we have today.
DeleteI haven't read TFATF, or "Flowers from the Storm". What about Lady Chatterley's Lover" or "Forever Amber"? I enjoyed those two.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Lady Chatterley, but Forever Amber is definitely a classic. It's a lot different than romances today.
DeleteI've read udith McNaught's entire backlist & enjoyed them all. I've also read most of Lisa Kleypas' books, plus Kathleen Woodiwiss' books. I would also include Nora Roberts' early Silhouettes as classics and I've read those, too. Marsha Canham is another author.
ReplyDeleteOther lists of classics would have to include Rosemary Rogers & Laurie McBain, but like TFATF, these would be old school.
penfield716(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I love Marsha Canham, Kim. I wanted to mention her but wasn't sure anyone else would know who she was.
DeleteMarsha Canham is a dear friend and she was my roommate at NINC. She has released her backlist as ebooks, and added some new ones.
DeleteI would add Virginia Henley to this list. Her historical depth and bawdy sense of humor was a good counterpoint to McNaught's adorable sweetness. I often alternated between the 2.
ReplyDeleteGood addition, Brooklyn Ann! And she's still writing!
DeleteVirginia Henley is another very dear friend of mine. I had dinner with her at NINC. :)
DeleteShe is such a wonderful lady!
DeleteNot really; only read what's interesting to me
ReplyDeleteDon't have any to recommend
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I grew up on those classics. That brings back memories! Hiding the covers so others wouldn't know what I was reading. LOL
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
LOL! I didn't read romance until college, so I never had to hide.
DeleteI got my start in the direction of romance with Victoria Holt and moved to Georgette Heyer...I read them all as a teen. From there and add a few years I discovered Bertrice Small - Skye O'Malley and Adora (love, love, love that book) and Sergeanne Golon's Angelique series. I really haven't read any of the classics although I may have read one or two but didn't keep them or keep records. My oldest keeper authors are Margaret Moore, Hannah Howell, Donna Fletcher, Thea Devine, and Karen Hawkins. glittergirl54 at ymail dot com
ReplyDeleteI think some of the authors you mentioned would be considered classic authors. Great suggestions, Glittergirl.
DeleteI never did read Shanna and still mean to since so many of my friends had loved it.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
So nice that everything is on ebook now and not out of print.
DeleteOh, Kathleen Woodiwiss is the one who got me hooked on romance. Maybe that's why I love historicals so much. I had read a lot of the modern gothics before her and I've read about half of the ones you mentioned but when they came out (except Julie Garwood who I started reading a few years ago) so I probably could read them again since it's been so long but there are so many new books I want to get to that I just never seem to reread.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Woodiwiss is awesome, and Julie Garwood made me want to write romance.
DeleteOh Shana! I am flashing back! I love those old books! Thank you for this post :)
ReplyDeleteI know. It's so fun to pull them off the shelf again.
DeleteLove you post! Devil in Winter is def on my list of classics, as is Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey. I loved that book.
ReplyDeleteWarrior's Woman! Yes! I forgot that one, Terri.
DeleteI have read some of these, but there are some that I haven't read yet. Thanks for posting these! Gotta hit up Amazon for some new "old" books to read
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, sheryl!
DeleteOne of my favorite classics is Ashes in the Wind. I am rereading Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers (it is my original copy!).
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read Sweet Savage Love. I'll put it on my list.
DeleteWhich version of Whitney, My Love are you going to read? The first version or the cleaned up version? I must admit a certain fondness for Clayton. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd have to read the 1st, the original.
DeleteThe Angélique series comes to mind. I read it a lifetime ago (a friend of mine had the whole series and I borrowed it). Outlander, too (I'm rereading it)... then, there's Forever Amber (read it in French at my mom's instigation - she told me she read a few years after I was born and she wanted me to have a go at it - bought it and we both read it.). I have three of Bertrice Small's book: Skye O'Malley, All the Sweet Tomorrow and This Heart of Mine.
ReplyDeleteClassics mostly in French such as: Notre-Dame de Paris, Les Trois Mousquetaires, Le Vicomte de Bragelonne, Vingt ans après, Le Bossu, Le comte de Monte-Cristo... so many.
Very cool that you mention the French classics.
DeleteOups... forgot my email (although you already have it, Shana): hibouperch@yahoo.ca
ReplyDeleteLOL
Thanks! Makes my life easier :-)
DeleteI have to read A Knight in Shining Armor...Johanna Lindsey's When Love Awaits was my introduction to her world...and since then the romantic journey has been filled with angst...betrayal...humor...cliffhangers...kidnappings...in short....a fun filled ride...
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one. It sounds really good!
DeleteI've missed WAY too many classics. I came to the romance side of reading just a few years ago and have been playing catch up and trying not to get behind on current releases. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlenda, I always felt like that when I started reading romance. Give it a few years and the books you read initially will be classics!
DeleteI do love the classics, especially Johanna Lindsey books which was one of the first series (Malory family) that I started reading and got me hooked on historicals.
ReplyDeletethebigbluewall77 (at) gmail (dot) com
Love Johnanna Lindsey and the Mallorys.
DeleteI'd have to say Nora Roberts has a lot of contemporary classics and she's got so many to choose from. And I love historical classics, you can't go wrong with Julie Garwood although for me, Saving Grace is my go-to book!
ReplyDeleteahui89 at hotmail dot com
I totally agree about Nora Roberts. She is such a great author. I haven't read a bad book by her. Of course I agree about Julie Garwood. Love her.
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